Tom Vick's Blog

Welcome to Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:48:50 GMT

Welcome To Exit Realty 1^st Class

Fayetteville, NC 28306

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NCwelcomes Tina Dawson. Tina is an experienced agent in the Fayetteville area and Exit welcomes her into the company as one of their team. Tina is a long time resident of Fayetteville and her knowledge of the area is vast. She is a great addition to the Exit team and will fit in well.

Exit Realty 1^st Class also welcomes Cortney Lowry. She serves as the front desk receptionist, as well as the administrative assistant to the broker-in-charge Michelle Shortsleeve. All of us at Exit Realty 1st Class are happy to welcome Cortney to the team. Exit Realty is a very different kind of real estate company. Training is key and the key training. We look forward to training both Tina and Cortney while at the same time, learning from and about them. If you would like the opportunity to speak with the owners of Exit Realty 1^st Class or the broker-in-charge about a career with Exit, the office number is (910)864-EXIT. Ask for Tom or Charlotte Vick or Michelle Shortsleeve. We would be happy to discuss your future with Exit.

Fayetteville, NC Real Estate- Exit Realty 1st Class is your local expert in all your real estate needs in Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Raeford, and Lillington. You have access to the most complete MLS listing tools at your fingertips. Let us help you with all your buying and selling needs, contact us today (910)864-3948!

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC July 4th Plan

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:24:08 GMT

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC: July 4^th Plans

What are your plans for this holiday weekend? Happy July 4^th everyone!!! If you do not have plans for the 4^th of July weekend, let me give you some suggestions. Since it is a holiday weekend when most people have time off from their usual jobs, some special plans should be made to spend with family and friends.

Suggestion #1- The local baseball team, “The Swamp Dogs” has a game on Friday night the 3^rd of July and following the game, they perform a very nice fireworks display. It is a very family friendly atmosphere where you can take the kids, grandma, grandpa, or your friends who may be visiting from out of town. It is an inexpensive and fun-filled night for fall

Suggestion #2- Fort Bragg has the annual 4^th of July Celebration on Fort Bragg’s huge parade field. It beings around noon and lasts till after the fireworks. There are food vendors, merchandise vendors, service vendors a little something for everyone. There are also live music performances and many families make a day out of it. You can bring a tent or canopy for relief from the sun, and lawn chairs to sit back and relax while listening to the enjoyable music. After dark, the fireworks display is awesome. It seems to be bigger and better every year. So come out and enjoy it. There are several other activities around the area if these do not suit your needs. If you happen to take my suggestions for fun this weekend, please stop by the guest service booth at the Swap Dogs game and say “hello” to the Exit agents booth. Also, don’t forget to stop by the Exit Realty 1^st Class booth at the Fort Bragg 4^th of July Celebration. There will be free giveaways and prizes to our guests. Exit Realty 1st Class wishes you all a very safe and happy holiday!

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC Working with Realtors

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:26:19 GMT

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC: What sets a realtor apart from the rest of the group?

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I choose a Realtor?” There are many ways a person can go about choosing a realtor for their real estate needs. You can go online to search in various sites, research the Realtors through their websites, ask a friend who may know a Realtor, look through the real estate publications, or pick one out of the newspaper ads. Some methods may be better than others but, however you choose a realtor, how to you know if that Realtor is the best one for your needs?

The simple fact is that any realtor who holds an active license can list a property for sale. Any Realtorwho holds and active license can provide information on area properties and show properties to prospective buyers. So, why does it matter which Realtor one chooses to represent their interest?

Something was brought to my attention by a client about why the client had chosen me to represent them as opposed to several other Realtors they had spoken with. It is an important issue that I felt needed to be shared. The answer to “what was it” was professionalism. In real estate services, the realtor is giving service to the client in an area which is dealing with maybe one of the largest investment in that client’s lifetime. As a seller or buyer, one wants to know that they are being represented properly in the transaction. So again, how do you know if the Realtor you have chosen is the best one for your needs? North Carolina has a requirement for Realtors, upon first substantial contact with a prospective client, whether a buyer or a seller, must disclose and explain how each agency works in North Carolina. There is a pamphlet called “Working with Real Estate Agents” which must be disclosed and explained to the prospective clients’ understanding. The client I was working with said I was the only one you when over the pamphlet and explained it to them. One Realtor they spoke with asked them to read it over and then asked if they had any questions and then had them sign it. Another Realtor they spoke with never mentioned it at all.

If this is the first thing Realtors are to do with a prospective client, and Realtors see themselves as professionals, when why would the Realtor not properly do it? You see, the prospective client may not know what is to happen first, until they speak with a Realtor who is a professional. My desire to address this issue is to heighten the professionalism within the industry I chose as my career. To my fellow Realtors, I welcome your assistance in raising the bar of professionalism in our chosen industry. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC: NC Real Estate License Renewal

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:22 GMT

Exit Realty 1^st Class of Fayetteville, NC: NC Real Estate License Renewal

Every year when license renewal comes due for real estate agents in North Carolina, a large number of licensees do not renew their licenses. The question is why? There is a lot of time, effort, and money that goes in to obtaining a North Carolina real estate license. There are also, many fees to be paid on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis for the privilege to practice real estate. If a person has invested the time, effort, and money to obtain a real estate license and practice real estate, again the question is why would the person choose to give that all up.

My personal thought is that real estate license did not see the value in their investment. If you investment everything and get nothing of significance back in return, is it really worth al of your efforts? Obviously, to many licensees each and every year the answer to that question would be a resounding NO.

Is it possible that the licensee allows their license to lapse, did not have the proper guidance or training? Every top producer or successful realtor in the real estate business was at one time a brand new licensee. How did that successful realtor become a successful realtor? Was it luck? Was it a gift they possessed? Was it hard work? Was it studying and education? Was it determination and self-discipline? What was it?

There are basically four types of realtors in the real estate business. What it all boils down to is the ones who are successful have a great attitude about their job and responsibilities and somewhere along the line they have learned on their own or been trained well.

Exit Realty 1st Class is far different from other real estate agencies even to include some other Exit offices. We believe that a new licensee has invested a lot into becoming a realtor and deserves the very best chance for success in the real estate industry. We therefore, make sure that each new licensee that joins our company has the opportunity to become successful by providing them with the right tools to be the best! Not only do we provide in-house training, mentoring, and team work but, Exit corporate also provides the most excellent and dynamic training in our industry.

Being a realtor is rewarding and very enjoyable. You have the opportunity to help make people’s dreams come true and assist them in reaching their goals. That is really what it is all about. What could be better than to know you have helped another person realize their dream?

If you are a realtor contemplating the possibility of not renewing your license, contact and Exit agent at Exit Realty 1st Classto see what we have to offer. We have help you realize YOUR dream as well. To find one of your agents click here.

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC Public Real Estate Q&A

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:11:42 GMT

June 01, 2009

Public Q&A on the Real Estate Market with Tami Bonnell, EXIT Realty's US President

The dream of homeownership is alive and well during Homeownership Month

Is it still reasonable to dream the dream of home ownership? Although the white picket fence comes in many forms nowadays, from condos to co-ops, from townhomes to bungalows, the dream is still a realistic one for American families this June, Homeownership Month.

"It's not just a platitude to say that this is the best time in years to buy real estate," says Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International. "The National Association of Homebuilders recently announced that housing affordability has jumped to its highest point in the past 18 years and the National Association of REALTORS^® reported that existing home sales rose in April."

Industry insiders know this is good news but it has left consumers with many questions. In order to address those questions, Ms Bonnell will be holding two free, half-hour webinars for the general public on Wednesday, June 24^th at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions during the sessions. Now anyone can ask an objective, experienced real estate executive for the real scoop - and get a straight answer. This is a must-attend event for anyone who is thinking of buying or selling real estate or wondering about where the market is going.

To participate, visit the homepage of www.exitrealty.com and click on either the 4:00 link or 7:00 link to register. You will need an internet connection and speakers to participate.

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC Wants to help you out!

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:42:53 GMT

Exit Realty 1^st Class of Fayetteville, NC wants to help you out

Investing in residential real estate can be very interesting and rewarding for the investor. However, the greatest factor in reaping the rewards is in the knowledge that you start with surrounding your investment ventures. There are many factors that need to be considered when contemplating purchasing properties for investment purposes. The following are some of the questions you will need to ask yourself before you begin.

1: What is my ultimate goal in purchasing investment properties? Will I purchase them to rent/lease or will I purchase them to repair or sell?

2:How long do I want to own the properties before I sell them? Do I want to reside in the property for some time or do I want to market them for sale within a few weeks?

3:How am I going to purchase property ? Will I us VA loan, FHA loan, Conventional loan, or Cash?

4:How will I market a property for sale or rent? How long will it take to sell or rent a particular property?

5:Are the costs of the property and the repairs going to exceed the return I get on my investment?

6: How do I find the best investment properties available?

7:Where do I get funding for a loan or investment properties?

8:Who can I get to help with the required repairs?

9:What happens if I go over budget before I am prepared to market the property for sale or for rent?

10: How do I know what area and price range I need to consider purchasing properties?

If you are inexperienced as an investor, seek the assistance of an experienced realtor. If the realtor has experience working with investors, he/she should be able to guide you in your investments and answer all of the questions above so that your experience is a positive one.

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC Monthly Newsletter June 2009

Thu, 21 May 2009 15:31:06 GMT

Easy Organizing - Host a Profitable Yard Sale

One man's trash might be another's treasure — but hosting a yard sale can be even better than picking through one, thanks to the extra cash and space you'll gain. Choose a good moneymaking day, such as a Saturday near the first or 15th of the month (typical paydays). Then, arrange wares for easy browsing: Group same-priced items (e.g., books, $1) with a single sign, and use office-supply stickers for larger items. And if things don't sell quickly, lower prices. You want to off-load this stuff, remember?

Don't Skip This Tip: Make sure you've got a place to sit, adequate shade, snacks, and lots of water to drink. You'll be comfortable, and you won't have to duck inside and leave your sale unattended.

Source: Good Housekeeping

Expert Tips for a Well-Lit Landscape

Make a Plan – Will the back porch double as an eating spot? Is the front walkway just to welcome visitors? The lighting should relate to the way the outdoor spaces are going to be used.

Keep it Simple - Pick one style of adjustable, shielding exterior fixtures for down-lighting, accent lighting and wall-wash lighting.

Include the Basics - Always start with the basics -- entry and garage lights -- and install additional lighting later.

Ditch the Dimmers - If an incandescent light is dimmed, it becomes amber and casts a sickly pall on green plants. Instead, use a daylight -- a blue color-correcting filter on outdoor lights -- which eliminates the yellow tones.

Add Layers - A good outdoor-lighting design should consider two layers of lighting: one for when you are inside looking out and one for when you are outside.

Source: Better Homes & Gardens.com

Summer Cooling Tip:

As a general rule ceiling fans should run counter clockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter. Not all fans work exactly the same so a quick test is to stand under the fan and if you feel the air blowing down, you’re going in the right direction for summer months.

Warranty Wisdom

Home service agreements give you the assurance that there is someone to help at any time with problems on covered items.

A 2-10 HBW Resale^SM home service agreement gives you the protection you need against breakdowns of covered appliances and major systems such as plumbing, heating, electrical and air conditioning.

You’re Hired! Secrets to Acing the Interview

If you want to stand out as a distinctive candidate, and raise your interviewing game from good to great you need to keep some things in mind:

Maintain good eye contact. Good meaningful handshake and eye contact upon entering the room. Don't be in a hurry to look away. You need to convey that you've been looking forward to meeting the interviewer.

Slow down. Slow your speaking pace down, especially in the first five minutes when you're likely to be most nervous. Anxiety makes pace naturally accelerate and makes it more likely you'll stumble over your words.

Be confident. Go into the interview thinking that you're there to offer the company your experience and your expertise that will ultimately help them meet their goals. You are not going in asking them to do you a favor by hiring you.

Be specific. Generic adjectives that you think describe you (e.g. hard working, resourceful) are not enough. Tell real stories from your previous jobs that explain how you put your resourcefulness into practice.

Source: Today.msnbc.com

Seviche with Mint and Grapefruit

Ingredients:

1 Ruby Red grapefruit

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 Serrano chile, thinly sliced

1 cup fresh mint, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 pound sea scallops, tough muscles removed, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds,

Micro mint, for garnish

Directions:

Cut away peel and pith from grapefruit. Cut along membranes, releasing segments into a medium nonreactive bowl; reserve juice in bowl. Using a slotted spoon, transfer 1/2 of the segments to a cutting board; dice. Transfer diced segments to a large nonreactive bowl. Strain reserved juice into a glass measuring cup. Pour 1/4 cup of the juice into the large bowl, reserving remaining juice for another use.

Add onion, chile, mint, lime juice, salt, and scallops or yellowtail to grapefruit mixture. Gently stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours. (Do not refrigerate for more than 2 hours; the scallops will become tough.)

Drain mixture, reserving liquid. Divide onion, chile, mint, and scallops among 4 serving plates. Garnish with micro mint, and drizzle with reserved liquid. Serve immediately.

Courtesy of 2-10 Warranty

Exit Realty 1st Class in Fayetteville, NC Is Very Community Oriented

Wed, 20 May 2009 15:04:04 GMT

Exit Realty 1st Class in Fayetteville, NC Is Very Community Oriented

Exit Realty 1st Class located in Fayetteville, NC is a real estate company that is very community oriented and involved in many community activities. Exit works off the philosophy of giving back to the community in a “pay it forward” fashion.

Exit Realty 1^st Class is a member of The Better Business Bureau, The Fayetteville Association of Realtors, and The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. Michelle Shortsleeeve, the broker-in-charge, is also a member of The Home Builders Association, Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce, Raeford Chamber of Commerce, National Military Family Association, Fayetteville Women’s Center, and The National Association of Professional Women.

Each year Exit Realty of Fayetteville participates in selected activities such as the Fort Bragg 4^th of July Celebration, The Home and Garden Show, MDA Lockup, MS Walk, March of Dimes, etc.

This year we have two participants in the MDA Lockup. This raises donations for the muscular dystrophy association. The participants are Michelle Shortsleeve and Candilee Quigley. We would appreciate very much your support in the way of donations for this worthy cause. We whole-heartedly believe in supporting the community in which we live. Thank you so much for the support.

Exit Realty 1st Class: Fayetteville, NC Real Estate Welcomes Our New Associates

Wed, 20 May 2009 15:03:10 GMT

Exit Realty 1^st Class: Fayetteville, NC Real Estate Welcomes Our New Associates

Exit Realty 1^st Class welcomes Hillary Williams to the Exit family in Fayetteville, NC. Hillary is originally from Illinois but moved here from Texas. She is the wife of a soldier here at Fort Bragg, NC. Hillary’s position is personal assistant to Tom and Charlotte Vick, the owners of Exit Realty 1^st Class.

Exit also welcomes Durwin Boone and Annette Rodriguez, recent graduates of JY Monk Real Estate School. Both are new agents with Exit Realty 1^st Class and are currently receiving training on the philosophy of how Exit operates as a real estate company.

Exit Realty 1^st Class congratulates Nakisha Hayes, receptionist with Exit Realty 1^st Class, on her recent accomplishment of obtaining her real estate license.

Welcome Ronald Pittman, and experienced agent of many years. The Exit family is growing and we invite everyone to stop in and visit our new location 3115 Boone Trail Fayetteville, NC 28306.

Exit is a company that operates within the concept of teamwork. Every agent knows that if they ever need assistance, their fellow agents are there to step up to the plate and assist. Every buyer and seller can expect professionalism and service during their real estate transaction because they don’t just have one agent supporting their needs, they have the whole Exit team working for them.

Exit Realty 1st Class of Fayetteville, NC has moved to our new location

Wed, 20 May 2009 15:02:27 GMT

Exit Realty 1^st Class of Fayetteville, NC has moved to our new location

Exit Realty 1^st Class of Fayetteville, NC has moved to our new location. We are now located at 3115 Boone Trail Fayetteville, NC 28306. We are off Owen drive across from Ruby Tuesdays. Stop in to see our new office! If you would like to check our available listings or meet the agents please check out our website.

We opened May 16,2006 at 231 Meed Ct. Fayetteville, NC 28303. We will be celebrating our 3^rd anniversary thanks to Charlotte and Tom Vick who are the Co-Owners and also brokers in our office. We are open Monday-Saturday 9am- 5pm. Our phone number is (910)864-3948 please feel free to call us anytime for your real estate needs.

EXIT REALTY 1ST CLASS is your home for first class real estate in Fayetteville and surrounding counties. (Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke) We proudly serve the following areas: Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Raeford, Spring Lake, Aberdeen, Southern Pines, Eastover, Erwin, Dunn, Cameron, Parkton, Stedman, and Wade.

Exit Realty 1st Class is committed to providing first class service and information to our real estate customers. We are dedicated to the long term relationships that we will develop with each and every client. Whether you are relocating "to" Fayetteville or "EXITing" Fayetteville-we will meet all of your real estate needs.